Democrats Navigate Midterms with a Mix of Confidence and Anxiety

US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Elaine Luria were present at a rally at Batten University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on October 31, 2026. The current political climate, marked by a decade-long existential crisis, presents challenges even when progress seems imminent, particularly for Democrats who have experienced fluctuating hopes. Elaine Luria described the situation as "a little bit of deja vu," recalling her experience in 2018 when she flipped Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District during a Democratic midterm wave in Donald Trump’s first term. She managed to hold the seat in a close race in 2020, contributing to a slim Democratic majority, but lost it in 2022 as Republicans secured their own narrow majority. Luria is now running to reclaim the district.

"If you see how people are feeling today, the energy on the ground — the second time around living through this hell of the Trump administration … people want change," Luria stated. "They can’t take it anymore." She emphasized that the path to a Democratic majority hinges on districts like hers. Early voting data indicates Democrats are showing stronger performance than Republicans, and the party's internal energy is palpable. Internal polls, as described to CNN, suggest Democratic leaders are optimistic about the midterm outcomes, despite the anticipated close contests as results are tallied on Tuesday. According to CNN’s Poll of Polls, Democrats hold a 9-point advantage over Republicans in the generic congressional ballot heading into the midterms.

New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader, joined Luria on Saturday and criticized Republicans, stating, "Republicans are closing talking about ballrooms and backsides. That’s the disarray the Republicans are in." He was referring to Trump’s renovations of the White House and his comments on Republican physiques. Following Jeffries' remarks, attendees gathered campaign materials and departed to engage in further door-knocking efforts. Jeffries was en route to a flight to support Rep. Shomari Figures, whose Alabama district Republicans had targeted following the Supreme Court's decision weakening the Voting Rights Act earlier in the year.

Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia expressed an upbeat but uncertain outlook, noting, "There are going to be so many close races that you can’t predict — my guess is at least 20, the loser will get 49% — so it’s just going to be difficult to predict." Senator Chris Van Hollen, who led the Senate Democrats' campaign committee in 2018, a year when the party successfully defended several seats they were expected to lose but ultimately fell short of a majority, shared his observations. He noted that in 2018, Democrats were primarily focused on "the resistance." This year, however, Van Hollen has observed a shift among voters who previously supported Trump for a second term, citing his promises of lower prices and an end to foreign wars. "This time what’s different is on these promises that candidate Trump made that helped him win votes among his coalition, he’s done a 180," Van Hollen told CNN.

Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago mayor and congressman, who was involved in campaigns during George W. Bush's second term that led to significant Democratic gains, perceives a different voter sentiment compared to 2006. He believes there is a backlash driven by public anger over corruption, particularly among Black and Latino voters. In 2006, Emanuel recalled, the prevailing emotion was "disappointed, tired." He added, "Here, it’s anger and bitterness. And that tells you something about the motivation." Despite this, Emanuel remains cautious about poll accuracy and potential turnout surprises. He admitted to constantly seeking any indication of negative sentiment towards Democrats, saying, "I keep checking to make sure we’re not all talking to each other. So I’m walking around looking for anything, ‘Please give me a negative.’" He advised anxious Democrats, "You might be right, but you may want to use that energy in a productive way rather than sitting around. Text, email, phone call, stand in the middle of the highway. I don’t care what you do, but just use it. There’s nothing productive getting done by being sitting there and being nervous."

Political operatives across both parties have noted widespread cynicism in focus groups, affecting all demographics and political affiliations. Many view politics as a game for insiders, with the wealthy and powerful benefiting while others face rising costs and deteriorating living conditions. Candidates are encountering these sentiments on the campaign trail, in everyday settings, and during early voting. Anger, disappointment, and a sense of abandonment are prevalent emotions among American voters heading to the polls. Washington state Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the House Democrats' campaign committee, described her mindset as "confident and paranoid." While she believes securing the three seats needed for a Democratic majority is likely, she acknowledges past experiences where a majority seemed within reach but ultimately eluded the party. The paranoia, she explained, stems from concerns about potential interference with election results by Trump.

DelBene has been engaging with voters in various districts, from an Ohio district Democrats aim to hold to an Arizona district they hope to flip. She consistently observes palpable economic hardship and attempts to convey that Democrats offer viable solutions. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, who voted early, spoke with a woman concerned about rising grocery and prescription costs, who brought her family to vote. Bibb worries that Democrats celebrating potential victories might misinterpret the motivations of voters like her. He understands the prevailing cynicism and hopes other Democrats do as well, already planning with fellow mayors on how to pressure Washington, D.C., for action if the results align with expectations. "We can’t miss this moment with just hearings and impeachment proceedings," Bibb stated. "People need to see their pocketbooks improve." Senator Van Hollen cautioned against premature celebration, recounting the 2017 Virginia House of Delegates elections where control was decided by a single seat, ultimately determined by a tie-breaking drawing of slips of paper, which Republicans won. "I would not rely on these polls," Van Hollen urged. "My plea is: Don’t take anything for granted, don’t let control come down to one campaign." DelBene acknowledged the stress of the final campaign stretch, noting the fatigue of dedicated workers and offering encouragement: "It’s a very stressful time. Folks are tired. They’ve been working incredibly hard... Keep going.' The one thing about an election is: There is an end date."